What does this mean: DEUX EX MACHINA?

zbeckabee

Deus ex machina literally means "the god comes from a crane" and refers to an unexpected, artificial, or improbable character, device, or event introduced suddenly in a work of fiction or drama to resolve a situation or untangle a plot. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina May 03 06, 12:05 PM

Baloo55th

In medieval mystery plays, ans so on, literally the 'god' came on from above to bring things to a happy conclusion. It is a term, as zbeck says, used in fiction for similar results ensuing from a heavy handed bit of plot manipulation by a desperate author. If you are writing, try to avoid it. It's easily seen through by readers and they don't think much of it. May 03 06, 12:30 PM

kaylofgorons

I was taught "Machina" means machine. In ancient Greek theatre, they'd lower an actor onto the stage using a winch and the "god" would resolve the situation. It is usually considered a lazy way to end a story, but not always. May 03 06, 3:12 PM

scarletflame

In a sense I'd agree with kaylofgorons. But I don't think it's a "lazy way of ending a story", it was the done thing in the classical period. May 04 06, 2:59 PM